Emerson Mini-Commander or Benchmade Doug Ritter RSK Mini?

[Hawk45]

Looking for a new EDC and want to keep blade length under 3.5. Want something that fits well in the pocket, not too heavy but is also durable. I have always heard good things about both of these knives and they are close enough in price (RSK is about $20 cheaper at $110).

Also open to suggestions.

Thanks,
Hawk

 

[phatch]

The axis lock, great blade geometry and good handle of the Ritter Grip make it the knife to have in my opinion. Great knife in just about every way.

phil

 

[Chewy1]

Grip all the way. Don't even go the other way. My opinion.

 

[A.P.F.]

If you want a Chisel grind :barf: go with the Emerson. If you want one of the best locks in the business, go for the Grip.

 

[Chewy1]

If you want a Chisel grind :barf: go with the Emerson. If you want one of the best locks in the business, go for the Grip.

Ha ha. That's what I meant to say. I've been trying to unload a Commander for a week now, and nobody will touch the thing. Chisel grinds are great for woodworking, but on a pocket knife? Sure it's sharp, but it cuts in a circle. :barf: Oh, and I don't even have a Grip, and I think it's a better knife.

 

[Capt. Carl]

I got a mini ritter the other week and I really like the blade shape and high grind. Good knife, the only thing I don't like is how rough it is on your pockets. Maybe I'll decide to completely sand it smooth on the clip side. That's the beauty of frn.

 

[p_mcmanis]

Mini-comm all the way imho. I was able to reprofile mine easily with a diamond stone that cost me 30 bucks (all I use to sharpen) but maybe I got lucky (not a good sharpener really, good enough, but Im sure most people can do it better) and it cuts really well.

I dislike frn handles, I just dont like the way they feel. If Im getting s30v and axis, give me a 615.

 

[SIFU1A]

Ha ha. That's what I meant to say. I've been trying to unload a Commander for a week now, and nobody will touch the thing. Chisel grinds are great for woodworking, but on a pocket knife? Sure it's sharp, but it cuts in a circle. :barf: Oh, and I don't even have a Grip, and I think it's a better knife.

CG's work just fine for SD which is what all EKI's are designed for, i admit EKI's might not be the best for utility but "cuts in a circle" ya lost me there, none of mine do that lol, a zero bevel grind is about the sharpest thing i have ever seen & its a CG.

as far as a commander vs a grip it depends on what ya want the thing for, for general use a grip is probably better, but for SD i would take the commander,

FWIW of all the EKI line the commander is one of my "least" favorite ones but i have no idea why yous isnt selling, EKI's gen'ly sell pretty good if they are priced right and in decent shape.

 

[Kaizen1]

Personally I like the Ritter Grip, but Emersons are great knives. CGs aren't as bad as people make them to be. I just don't like recurves that much. I'd take my CQC-14 over a Ritter Grip easily.

 

[Chewy1]

Personally I like the Ritter Grip, but Emersons are great knives. CGs aren't as bad as people make them to be. I just don't like recurves that much. I'd take my CQC-14 over a Ritter Grip easily.

Kaizen- Is that a new knife to you? Do you have a Ritter Grip? The reason I'm asking is because I considered buying a Snubby myself. I like the looks of it, but now I'm leery of getting anything Emerson.

 

[Buffalohump]

If you're looking at an Emerson, I would go for the new Horseman over the Commander. The Horseman is a smaller version of EKI's best knife (IMO) the CQC8.

The 8 is a regular V grind and mine is just the sharpest, most practical folder I own. I don't mind the size, as I prefer larger folders generally.

In a smaller version, I think it would make a killer EDC for regular people.

 

[Kaizen1]

Kaizen- Is that a new knife to you? Do you have a Ritter Grip? The reason I'm asking is because I considered buying a Snubby myself. I like the looks of it, but now I'm leery of getting anything Emerson.

I've owned a Large Ritter (552), which I sold and currently own a CQC-14, which I might sell in order to get a custom or a Busse. Here's how I'd compare the knives:

Lock: Ritter (easy)
Ergos: 14 (easy)
Steel: I really haven't noticed much of a difference between S30V and 154cm. They both take insane edges if you can sharpen.
Blade type: I like them both about equally
Blade grind: Primary grind goes to the Ritter (I prefer full flat grinds. The Ritter is closest to that)
Edge grind: Even though I prefer V grinds generally, the chisel grind gives my rotation variety. And it really doesn't interfere at all with any of my cutting jobs. Maybe if you have a primary grind as a CG and if you absolutely had to cut the straightest line for a long cut, you wouldn't want a CG. But in most cases, it doesn't matter and I think it has more to do with people's preference rather than anything else.
Detent: 552 (easy)
Handle materials: One of the biggest complaints about any of the Grips is the zytel handles and how they're not fully lined underneath. The CQC-14 certainly does feel high quality in this regard because of the G-10 and the full liners.
Extra features: Axis locks are fun, but after awhile the 552 didn't seems to me all that much better than my good ol' 551. The CQC-14 has the wave feature which is cool (even though I rarely use it). I've never had an issue of it accidentally opening.
Pocket carry: The CQC-14 is noticeably wider and longer than the 552, but it's never bothered me while in my pocket. It feels like a normal sized knife. I live near San Francisco where you can only carry 3" blades so the legality of the 14 (which is why I was originally motivated to get one) is rather convenient for me.
Overall: I would pick a CQC-14 over the 552 mainly because that's where I'm at in my knife preferences these days. The CG doesn't bother me one bit, in fact I appreciate that it's different rather than just another knife in my rotation.